How Strong are Twisted Ratchet Straps?

[AlBerto]

Fireball Tool on YouTube posted a myth-buster style video on ratchet straps load capacity. Bottom Line: twists don't change load capacity much, but a knot will.

How Strong are Twisted Ratchet Straps?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifyJjQXOttE

[lowside67]

Generally I don't think people have any issue with crossed or twisted straps from a load strength perspective.

However, the big "myth" that needs to be dispelled is that people seem to think crossing straps is better than running them straight fore-aft; it is NOT!

-Mark

[DaveW]

...However, the big "myth" that needs to be dispelled is that people seem to think crossing straps is better than running them straight fore-aft; it is NOT!

-Mark

That, IMO, depends on what you are trying to achieve. Having 2 straps parallel to each other provides a bit more tie-down force in the strap direction. Having straps attached to solid anchor points on both ends crossed provides forces that help locate what is tied down laterally. Parallel straps cannot provide that until a lot of movement has occurred.

The crossed-strap comment applies most directly to things located by 4 separate straps, 2 on each end.

[lowside67]

The issue with crossing straps at each end is if you have one loosen or fail, then the car will simply walk the other direction which will make your remaining strap looser and looser as the car walks sideways. If you run two straps parallel and one fails, it does not affect the tension in the remaining strap whatsoever.

-Mark

[DaveW]

That, IMO, depends on what you are trying to achieve. Having 2 straps parallel to each other provides a bit more tie-down force in the strap direction. Having straps attached to solid anchor points on both ends crossed provides forces that help locate what is tied down laterally. Parallel straps cannot provide that until a lot of movement has occurred.

The crossed-strap comment applies most directly to things located by 4 separate straps, 2 on each end.

The issue with crossing straps at each end is if you have one loosen or fail, then the car will simply walk the other direction which will make your remaining strap looser and looser as the car walks sideways. If you run two straps parallel and one fails, it does not affect the tension in the remaining strap whatsoever.

-Mark

If you're worried about this, just use more straps, 2 crossed and one or 2 straight on each end. In my experience, I've never had a strap fail. I've also never had a good ratchet strap loosen enough to affect anything. But anything is possible.

BTW, if the straps are not close to horizontal, and you are using them to position a car, any tire that goes flat will de-tension at least 1 strap. So no matter the angle of the straps in plan view, they're going to loosen.

YMMV

[Jim Edmonds]

Excellent youtube video. Offroad motorcycle folks using open trailers have been putting in a twist or two, for over fifty years that I know of. It does almost eliminate wind oscillation.

I've had a couple of one inch straps break when holding bikes on motorcycle trailers. I believe the cause was too many years in the sun. I should have replaced them after four or five years. When your red Ancra straps are tan, they've been in the sun too long. Ha.

It's "unpleasant" to look in the mirror and see a bike being drug down the road beside the trailer. 8^( It only happened to us once and we learned to put a short strap between the two bikes' handlebars to keep them on the trailer if a strap breaks.

Just tribal knowledge. Does anyone remember how rough the rocky dirt road was going into Soggy Dry Lake in the early1970's? That tested one's trailer and rigging.

Have fun today.

Jim

[EricP]

I’m gonna start a new thread… how do folks choose their straps…?